Machine for producing roof patching rods



March 9, 1965 w. A. STANTON MACHINE FOR PRODUCING ROOF PATCHING RODS Filed Sept. 26, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR WILLIAM A. STANTON Y j rm RNEY March 9, 1965 w. A. STANTON 3,172,449

MACHINE FOR PRODUCING ROOF PATCHING RODS Filed Sept. 26, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F l G. 3.

. INVENTOR T WILLIAM A. s ANTON FIG. 7. Y A

W. A. STANTON March 9, 1965 MACHINE FOR PRODUCING ROOF PATCHING RODS Filed Sept. 26. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5.

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FIG. 8.

F l G. 6. INVENTOR WILLIAM A. ST NTO United States Patent 3,172,449 MACEHNE FER PRODUQING RG65 PATCHHNG R938 William A. Stanton, 3214 ODay Drive, Highland, Ind. Filed Sept. 26, 1961, Ser. No. 140,916 Claims. (Cl. 153--2) When basic open hearth furnace roofs require patching the bricks used for effecting the repair are held on socalled rods in the nature of hooks which heretofore, as far as I am aware, have been manufactured by hand from round steel stock usually approximately A1 in in diameter, a tedious procedure by which two operatives can make only some 220 of the finished rods per hour. As the latter are used in very large numbers, approximating some 16,000 per furnace per year, their produc- -tion in this manner constitutes a considerable item of expense and corresponding increase in the cost of the steel refined in the furnace.

It is therefore a principal object of my invention to provide a machine for producing these patching rods mechanically as distinguished from mannually at a greatly increased rate over that obtainable by the latter method and with less labor, the machine in the embodiment herein disclosed requiring but a single operative and being capable of producing some 1800 rods per hour.

Further objects of the invention are the provision of a machine of the character aforesaid of relatively simple construction, needing but little attention to maintain it in satisfactory operative condition, and which in its preferred embodiment may be readily adapted for the production of rods of diiferent lengths.

Still other objects and novel features of design, construction and arrangement comprehended by the invention are hereinafter more fully pointed out or will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred form of machine constructed in accordance with it and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an inverted plan view of the under side of the table of the machine with the rod forming dies and associated mechanisms in open position, certain elements such as the table supporting legs being broken away for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a side view, partially fragmentary, of the machine in normal position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. '1 but with the dies closed as at the completion of one of the rods;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail fragmentary transverse section on line 44 in FIG. 1 showing the parts inverted from their assembled position, i.e., resting upon rather the machine.

More particularly and as shown the machine comprises a table generally designated as l which, in its preferred embodiment, is made in two sections separable along line A running transversely of it to enable production of rods of different lengths upon the machine as hereinafter explained. The sections are respectively supported on legs 2 and suitable means are provided for holding them in engagement along said line or spaced with respect thereto such as a pair of rails 4, 5 on each'side 0f the table, one rail of each pair being slotted and fixed to one of the table sections and the other rail fixed to the other of them, cap screws 6 extending through the slotted rail and into the other serving when set up to clamp the rails and hence the table sections together in any position of adjustment within the capacity of the slots.

The principal operating parts of the machine depend ing from and secured to the under face of the table comprise a shear block ll having a feed passage 11 extending transversely of the table of diameter suitable to accommodate the rod stock S from which the patching rods R are to be consecutively made; if desired the inner face of the block may be recessed for reception of a replaceable preferably hardened bushing 12. Cooperative with the shear block is a shear, bending and holding die 13 movable longitudinally of the table in ways 14 and so located that the front end and one side of the die slide across the proximate inner end face of the block when the die is closing so as to shear stock S when projected through the passage into the path of the die. The die is, moreover, cut out at the center part of its front face to form a recess having spaced straight sides paralleling its path of movement and respectively merging into the ends of a semicircular zone forming its inner extremity, said face and recess being grooved (FIG. 4) midway between the top and bottom of the die to provide a seat 15 adapted to receive the stock. Means for effecting reciprocation of die 13 comprise an air actuated cylinder 2% containing a piston whose rod 21 is aligned with and connected to the die through a clevis 22 and means hereinafter described are provided for controlling the movement of the piston in the cylinder.

Die 13 is cooperative at its front end with an anvil 25 fixed in its path and having straight parallel sides joined by a curved zone facing the die and thus generally conforming to the recess in the latter whereby on the forward or closing movement of the die it will receive the anvil in the recess with sufficient clearance between the parts to snugly accommodate the rod stock between the anvil and the surface of groove 15 in the die.

In the operation of the machine the stock S is fed manually through passage 11 in shear block 10 with die 13 of course in retracted or open position until the stock engages a limit switch LS1 fixed to the table the closing of which initiates the operative cycle, the switch also serving as a stop to determine the length of stock which is to be cut off by the ensuing forward movement of the die; thereafter the continued movement of the die carries the severed work piece P toward and bends its trailing end about anvil 25 to conform it to the curved zone and a short part of one of the sides thereof and next swings the leading part of the piece toward and finally, as the die reaches fully closed position, presses it snugly against the opposite side of the anvil so it extends substantially normal to passage 11 and projects considerably beyond the rear end of the former.

To insure movement of the leading portion of the work piece in a plane substantially parallel to the table as it swings to the last mentioned position and in which it is held against the anvil by now fully closed die 13, a guide, details of which are best shown in FIG. 6, is provided consisting essentially of a base block 26 fixed to tl e table and carrying a flat plate 2'7 lying parallel thereto above which is disposed another plate 28 likewise parallel to it supported in any convenient way as by a welded-on strap 29 running to one of the die ways 14, the plates thus defining a path for the work piece during its swinging movement.

The right or substantially semicircular end of the finished rod as seen in FIG. 8 has now been formed through the coaction of die 13 with anvil 25 and, as just described, the as yet unformed portion of the severed piece is extending down the side of the anvil longitudinally of the table in engagement or substantial engagement with a second anvil Stl fixed to the latter and having a straight side in substantial prolongation of that side of anvil 2.5 to which the piece is proximate, a rather sharply curved extremity 31 and another straight side 32 extending therefrom at an angle approximating 45 to the first side. Cooperative with this second anvil St is a forming die 33 reciprocal in like manner to die 13 in ways 3 by a piston rod 35 and clevis 36 extending from an air cylinder 37 save that the parts are so disposed that die 33 moves in a path approaching parallelism with the angular side of anvil 3d and thus at an included angle approaching 45 to the side of the table. The front part of this die is shaped in planary outline substantially as shown and thus having an inwardly curved zone 38 proximate one corner, a straight zone extending therefrom to one end of an arcuate zone 39 conforming to that of the anvil and thence to a zone transverse to the path of the die, the front face also being grooved (FIG. to provide, like die 13, a seat to receive and snugly hold the proximate part of the work piece. Die 33 and associated mechanisms are of course so located on the table with respect to the other parts heretofore described that when the die is retracted (FIG. 1) the leading end of the work piece is free to swing through the guide while being bent into engagement or substantial engagement with the first anvil 25 in which position the extremity of the piece intersects the path of die 33 so that as the latter is subsequently projected toward closed position it will engage it and bend it around anvil 30 as best shown in FIG, 3, thus completing the formation of rod R. Thereupon die 13 which at least during the major portion of this bending movement has maintained the piece snugly against both anvils, is retracted closely followed by die 33 thus permitting the finished rod to drop from the anvils, whose peripheries are slightly downwardly inclined, into an appropriate receptacle beneath the table.

It will of course be apparent that a predetermined length of stock is required to form each rod and, as hitherto mentioned, to adapt the machine to production of rods of different lengths the table preferably is made in sections and means provided for adjusting the spacing, if any, between them, said means conveniently comprising an adjusting screw 40 running through blocks 41, 42 respectively projecting above the table sections (FIG. 2) so that by its rotation after loosening both sets of clamping rails 4, 5 the sections may be separated to correspondingly increase the distance between the anvils; likewise limit switch LS1 is made adjustable relatively to the shear block. Hence if a longer rod is desired than that produced when the table sections are in contact it is only necessary to separate them as described and move the limit switch correspondingly farther from the face of the block.

For controlling admission and exhaust of air to .cylinders 20, 37 to thereby actuate the dies in properly timed relation during the operative cycle of the machine air hoses generally designated 43, 44 lead respectively from opposite ends of cylinders Ztl, 37 to solenoid actuated tandem valves V, V1 schematically shown in FIG. 7

conveniently housed with their respective actuated sole-.

noids S1, S2 in casings C, C1 mounted on the upper side of the table, whereby through operation of each valve through the medium of its solenoid air from appropriate pressure sources (not shown) can be admitted lof the valves are also schematically indicated in FIG. 7, brief reference to which will now be had.

Thus between main conductorsLIt, L2 (desirably supplying v. AG.) in series with solenoid S1 actuating tandem valve V is limit switch LS1 which is closed by the leading end of the stock as it is fed to the machine, thereby energizing this solenoid. In parallel with the latter, and thus also energized by the closing of switch LS1, is the solenoid of a time relay T2 the contacts R1 of which parallel limit switch LS1 whereby solenoid S1 and therelay solenoid are kept energized for a predetermined period after switch LS1 has opened as the work piece is swung away from it by die 13.

The valve V1 controlling cylinder 37 for actuating die 33 is operated by a similar solenoid S2 which, however, is not energized immediately upon engagement of die 13 during its closing movement with operating arm 45 of limit switch LS2 which intersects its path. On the contrary, to allow time for die 13 to complete its travel the closing of the contacts of the latter switch energizes instead the solenoid of a time delay relay T1 the contacts R2 of which place solenoid S2 in series with limit switch LS2 at a predetermined period of time after the latter has been closed.

The cycle is completed by reversal of the operation of valves V, V1 upon relay T2 opening its contacts R1 at the end of the interval for which it was set to hold these contacts closed. This value reversal causes cylinder 20 to retract die 13 to starting position, thereby releasing arm 45 of limit switch LS2 allowing it to open and deenergize solenoid S2 and relay T1, the valves V, V1 being of such character, readily available commercially, as to reverse automatically in this fashion on deenergization of their respective actuating solenoids, although it will be understood that one skilled in the art may, if desired, provide positive reversing solenoids and suitable relaysfor producing like results, the specific electrical controls for the valves associated with cylinders 20, 37 constituting no part of the invention.

The machine, therefore, in a single cycle is adapted to sever from the in-fed stock a work piece of appropriate length; to bend'the trailing portion of this piece to a form appropriate for one end of the desired rod and substantially coincident with this operation to bend the leading portionapproximately normal to its path through the shear block; to hold the piece in a substantially fixed position; to then bend it so as to form the other end of the rod to the desired substantial V-shape, and finally to allow the finished rod to clear the machine by gravity preparatory to initiation of another cycle, the machine, moreover, in its preferred embodiment being readily ad justable to produce rods of lengths greater than those produced when the table sections are closed on each other as illustrated. Itwill be noted that die 13 obstructs the inner end of passage ll substantially throughout, the operatingcycle making it impossible for additional stock to be fed until the rod being made has been completed and the die retracted.

While I have herein described and shown with considerable particularly one form of machine constructed in accordance with my invention, I do not thereby desire or intend to limit myself to any specific details of construction, arrangementand assembly of the various elements employed as these are capable of variation in many particulars and hence changes and modifications in them may be made as desired without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. A machine of the character described comprising a table and disposed below and supported thereby a pair of stationary male anvils respectively conforming to inner configurations of the rod to be formed, a shear block providing a passage for the rod stock, a reciprocal shear and female die cooperative with the block on closing movement to shear the stock to form a work piece and then bend its trailing portion around one of the anvils, means for reciprocating the shear and female die, a reciprocal female die adapted on closing movement successive to like movement of the first mentioned die to bend the leading unformed end of the piece about the other of the anvils, means for reciprocating the last mentioned die, and means operative to close the first mentioned die and to then close the second mentioned die and to thereafter consecutively retract both dies from their closed positions to enable the formed piece to fall from the anvils by gravity.

2. A machine of the character described comprising a table and fixed thereto and depending therefrom a first anvil and a second anvil each having an inwardly downwardly tapered periphery and a shear block having a passage for the stock from which the rods are to be formed, a reciprocal shear and forming die, fluid operated means for reciprocating it across the end of said passage proximate the shear block, a reciprocal forming die angularly disposed with respect thereto, and fluid operated means for respectively reciprocating the last mentioned die, electrically actuated instrumentalities for controlling the movement of the dies in sequence including a switch engageable by the leading end of the stock after its passage through the shear block whereby to cause closing movement of the shear and forming die to shear a Work piece from the stock, then carry the piece against and bend its trailing portion about the first anvil and temporarily lock it thereto, to then close the forming die to progressively bend the leading portion of the piece about the second anvil and to then retract both dies to enable the formed piece to be discharged by gravity from both anvils.

3. A machine as defined in claim 2 which includes a guide having spaced-apart upper and lower elements to define a path for the leading end of the work piece as it is bent by the shear and forming die about the first anvil and thereby during said bending confine its movement to a plane substantially parallel to the table.

4. In a machine of the class described, a depending fixed anvil having an arcuate zone and a straight side extending therefrom, a shear block providing a passage for the rod stock directed substantially normal to said side, a shear and forming die reciprocal normal to the path of the stock and cooperative with the shear block during closing movement to sever the stock into a work piece, to thereafter carry it to the anvil and bend the trailing end of the piece around the curved zone of the anvil and hold the so-bent and proximate portion of the piece against it, a second depending fixed anvil having a curved zone and sides divergent therefrom, a forming die reciprocal in a path angularly disposed to that of the shear and bending die having a recess generally conforming to said curved zone and sides of said second anvil, and means for reciprocating it against the leading portion of the work piece to bend the latter about said second anvil while the first-bent portion is held against the first anvil by the shear and forming die, and means for closing the dies in consecutive timed relation and opening them substantially simultaneously to discharge the formed piece by gravity from the anvils.

5. A machine of the class described comprising a table, means fixedly supported therefrom and providing oppositely disposed arcuate zones, an abutment extending from one zone toward the other and an abutment extending from the latter zone at an angle divergent to the first mentioned abutment, a female die reciprocal relatively to said means adapted when closed toward the first zone to bend thereabout and thereafter hold thereagainst a portion of a work piece interposed between the die and said zone, a second female die similarly reciprocal adapted when subsequently closed toward the other zone to bend thereabout another portion of said piece while the piece is held by the first die, and means operative to consecutively close the dies and thereafter retract the same to enable the piece formed by the closing of the dies to fall from said first means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 517,775 Steinmann Apr. 3, 1894 1,582,217 Henry Apr. 27, 1926 1,831,447 Heinrich Nov. 10, 1931 1,936,611 Young Nov. 28, 1933 2,436,642 Greenwood Feb. 24, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 624,963 Germany Ian. 31, 1936 22,904 Great Britain Nov. 16, 1899 845,436 Great Britain Aug. 24, 1960 

1. A MACHINE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING A TABLE AND DISPOSED BELOW AND SUPPORTED THEREBY A PAIR OF STATIONARY MALE ANVILS RESPECTIVELY CONFORMING TO INNER CONFIGURATIONS OF THE ROD TO BE FORMED, A SHEAR BLOCK PROVIDING A PASSAGE FOR THE ROD STOCK, A RECIPROCAL SHEAR AND FEMALE DIE COOPERATIVE WITH THE BLOCK ON CLOSING MOVEMENT TO SHEAR THE STOCK TO FORM A WORK PIECE AND THEN BEND ITS TRAILING PORTION AROUND ONE OF THE ANVILS, MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING THE SHEAR AND FEMALE DIE, A RECIPROCAL FEMALE DIE ADAPTED ON CLOSING MOVEMENT SUCCESSIVE TO LIKE MOVEMENT OF THE FIRST MENTIONED DIE TO BEND THE LEADING UNFORMED END OF THE PIECE ABOUT THE OTHER OF THE ANVILS, MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING THE LAST MENTIONED DIE, AND MEANS OPERATIVE TO CLOSE THE FIRST MENTIONED DIE AND TO THEN CLOSE THE SECOND MENTIONED DIE AND TO THEREAFTER CONSECUTIVELY RETRACT BOTH DIES FROM THEIR CLOSED POSITIONS TO ENABLE THE FORMED PIECE TO ALL FROM THE ANVILS BY GRAVITY. 